I am COVID weary. I guess we all are. I am weary of the fears and the news and statistics and the disruptions and the politics and the economics and the complaints and arguments.
In the midst of this weariness, I have by calling and vocation been tasked with helping people, specifically church leaders, to develop an adequate faith response to this crisis. I have been in Christian ministry for 41 years and this is the most difficult period of time to minister to people I have ever experienced. In some ways, I think the church is thriving in spite of the stresses we face. But it is a difficult time to walk in faith and help others explore the grace and mercies of God.
A couple of days ago, I was reflecting on my weariness and the Lord whispered in my ear the ancient warning of the Apostle Paul: “and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9 KJV). The weariness of the times can cause us to be weary, even as we make good faith responses to the situations of the day. Paul’s warning to “be not weary in well doing” is vital for our day.
When we get weary in well doing, we tend to ignore the word of God. Oh we may still read it and understand what it says, and we may even try in general to follow the guidelines presented. But we do not internalize the word and allow it to saturate our souls and permeate our minds. We don’t find any joy in the lessons of the word of God. The actions of faith we take become perfunctory. They are just laborious tasks carried out with boredom, rather than acts of love performed with joy.
I do not want the weariness of COVID-19 to steal the beauty and happiness and satisfaction of serving the Lord Jesus. Paul’s warning comes with the promise that if we can avoid becoming weary in well doing, there will be a day of reaping. These are difficult days, but they may be some of the best days of the church. They may be days that lead to revival. If we can learn to serve God faithfully, patiently, and constructively during these days, I believe we could see a great awakening in the church. We are all COVID weary. But “let us not be weary in well doing.”
Brent Cloyd is associational mission strategist for Greater Wabash Baptist Association.